Ranger vs Canyon
Put the Ranger next to the Canyon and you have Ford and GMC going after exactly the same midsize pickup crowd. There’s no clean sweep. If fuel economy & range matters most to you, the Ranger has the edge; if engine & performance does, look at the Canyon.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Canyon wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Ranger wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Tie
- Price Ranger wins
- Engine & Performance4.5
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
- Off-road & Towing9.7
- Engine & Performance10.0
- Fuel Economy & Range0.7
- Off-road & Towing10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Ranger has better fuel economy
The Ranger’s 23 mpg leaves the Canyon’s 20 mpg well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
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The Canyon has 120 lb-ft more torque
Not a close call. The Canyon lists 430 lb-ft and the Ranger lists 310 lb-ft. That’s a substantial gap. The Canyon’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The Canyon has 40 hp more power
The Canyon is slightly stronger on total system output. The gap, 310 hp versus 270 hp, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The Canyon has
Differences like this cut both ways. The Canyon lists 21 gal, the Ranger 18 gal. A bigger fuel tank means fewer stops on long trips, though the real range also depends on fuel economy.
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The Ranger has better highway fuel economy
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the Ranger: 26 mpg against 23 mpg. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 210.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 128.7 in | 131.4 in |
Engine & Performance
Canyon leads
Here the Canyon opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Canyon delivers 120 lb-ft more torque. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type. For anyone who cares most about engine & performance, the Canyon is the safer choice.
Torque
Ranger: 310 lb-ft Canyon: 430 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Total system output
Ranger: 270 hp Canyon: 310 hp The Canyon’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
Ranger leads
The Canyon is outclassed on fuel economy & range; the Ranger leads by a clear margin. On its side, the Ranger has better fuel economy. The Ranger uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. In short, the Ranger is the better-equipped car for fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (combined)
Ranger: 23 mpg Canyon: 20 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel tank
Ranger: 18 gal Canyon: 21 gal Tank size and fuel economy together decide your range, so look at both before drawing conclusions.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
The space & practicality section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Both cover space & practicality well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The differences on off-road & towing are small enough to ignore in daily use. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Safety & Tech
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On safety & tech, both deliver about the same. The takeaway: safety & tech is not where these two differ.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.3L turbo I4 (EcoBoost) | 2.7L turbo I4 (TurboMax) |
| Total system output | 270 hp | 310 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 430 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (4x4 available) | RWD (4WD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 23 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 21 mpg (winner) Best city economy | 19 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 26 mpg (winner) Best highway economy | 23 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 18 gal | 21 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 7,500 lb | 7,700 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12 in | 11.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Ford Co-Pilot360 | GMC Pro Safety |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 210.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 128.7 in | 131.4 in |
Price
| Spec | Ranger | Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $33,350 (winner) | $38,400 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Only $5,050 separated these two at launch, in favor of the Ranger. The $5,050 difference buys some advantages, not all of them, so weigh the areas you actually care about.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of launch. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Ranger if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (23 mpg vs 20 mpg combined)
- you cover long highway distances (26 mpg vs 23 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (21 mpg vs 19 mpg)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $5,050 matters
Choose the Canyon if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (430 lb-ft vs 310 lb-ft of torque)
- you want more power (310 hp vs 270 hp)
- you’re loyal to GMC and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Ranger or the Canyon?
The Canyon has its strengths, but the Ranger saves $5,050, which makes it the value pick.
Which costs less, the Ranger or the Canyon?
The Canyon launched at $5,050 more than the Ranger, based on prices as of launch.
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the Ranger and the Canyon. The biggest reason I lean toward the Ranger is simple: it has better fuel economy. There’s more, too: the Ranger offers better city fuel economy. To be fair, the Canyon has 120 lb-ft more torque, and that’s not nothing.
Fit matters more than scores here. The Ranger suits buyers focused on fuel economy & range; the Canyon suits those focused on engine & performance.
My pick: the Ranger, since I think the $5,050 gap buys less than it should.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.